China's maritime safety authorities conduct their first emergency search and rescue drill around the Taiwan Shoal, December 6, 2025. (Photo: CFP)

China on Monday urged Japan to draw lessons from history and exercise prudence in the field of military security.

Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks during a regular press briefing in Beijing in response to the entry of a Japan Self-Defense Forces vessel into the Taiwan Strait.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun speaks at a press briefing in Beijing, China. (Photo: CMG)

According to Japanese media reports, the vessel was en route to participate in Balikatan, an annual large-scale joint military exercise between the US and the Philippines.

Guo noted that during World War II, Japan committed grave historical crimes of aggression against and imposed colonial rule over Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines.

"Japan should earnestly reflect on its history of aggression, exercise prudence and restraint in the military and security fields, and refrain from flaunting its military force everywhere or undermining regional stability," he said.